Guest: Lance Reynolds, Director, Restaurant Ops Consulting @ US Foods
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Lance covered a ton in a short amount of time! Here’s the TLDW; (or you could just hit play!)

Lance Reynolds, Director at U.S. Foods and author of The ROI of Giving a Shit, discusses his shift from a results-driven leadership style to one focused on empathy. With decades of experience, Lance shares how caring for employees leads to better productivity and loyalty.

‍A Shift in Leadership Philosophy
Leadership started with a “my way or the highway” approach, but a key experience changed this to one focused on empathy, which led to stronger teams and better long-term results.Witnessing the impact of showing care for employees, it became clear that empathetic leadership boosts productivity and employee retention.

‍Building Empathy in Leadership
- Effective leadership requires stepping back and listening to employees, asking “What can I do better?” to foster trust and growth.

- Regular feedback strengthens relationships and drives team motivation.

‍Supporting Employee Mental Health and Well-being
- Mental health challenges are common in high-pressure industries, making a supportive environment crucial for preventing emotional distress.

- Regular check-ins and an open culture help employees feel heard and cared for, especially during tough times.

‍Protecting the Employee Experience
- Prioritizing the employee experience with benefits like paid time off and mental health support directly contributes to lower turnover and stronger loyalty.

- A valued workforce is more engaged, which drives business success.

‍Creating Safe Spaces for Feedback
- Leaders need to be open to receiving difficult feedback, which helps them improve and understand their impact on the team.

‍Long-Term Benefits of Empathetic Leadership
- Empathetic leadership results in increased retention, productivity, and customer loyalty, with positive financial and cultural returns for companies.




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